FAITH DUTTON
On May 19, 2017--just four days after the 2017 yearbook was released to the public--Faith Leigh Dutton, one of Legend's most beloved staff members, died in a car accident after school on Highway 41 in Mount Pleasant. She was just 16 years old.
Faith, a sophomore at the time of her death, had quickly won the hearts of Legend staff members with her bold personality, her uncanny ability to seek out new friends with people who needed comfort, and her never-quit attitude. She was shoo-in candidate to secure the editor in chief job for her senior year. Faith was extremely competitive and loved to win, which made her a natural fit for the yearbook staff. She won the SIPA Team On-Site Production yearbook contest for Best Copy with her writing in 2017, and she was awarded two writing awards posthumously: First Place for SIPA's 2018 Community Writing, and 2nd place for CSPA's 2018 Alternative Storytelling. She was on pace to become one of the most award-winning students in Wando yearbook history. Faith was known for her love for the color yellow, highlighted by her favorite yellow Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers, and sunflowers. But she was mostly known for how kindly she treated other people. Faith's loss was devastating to the Wando yearbook family, but following her death, the yearbook staff implemented new attitudes and practices to ensure the yearbook environment would always be loving, supportive, and caring for any staff member in honor of Faith's legacy. On Dec. 10, Faith's birthday, yearbook staff members and those who knew her wear yellow in her honor. Shortly before she passed away, Faith posted the following message on social media. The final three sentences have become the motto of the Wando yearbook family: "As wonderful as it feels to be called beautiful or pretty or gorgeous or lovely, it is not what matters in the end. To be frank, I'd much prefer to be called brilliant, daring, fearless, clever, kind, or ambitious. I'd much rather my mind or my soul be called beautiful than my exterior. Yes, beauty is valued in our society. Yes, loving who you are on the outside is vital. There is nothing wrong with loving your body or your face. But do not forget your mind. Your soul. Your heart. Because beauty fades, but who you are on the inside, that is eternal. Be brilliant. Be fearless. Be kind." |
THE FAITH DUTTON YELLOW SHOES FOUNDATION
The Faith Dutton Yellow Shoes Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that will provide scholarships, financial assistance, and service to Wando High School students in need.
If you are interested in giving back and helping others in the same way Faith lived her life, please visit the link below for more information about the charity and how to give. |
SPIRIT OF FAITH AWARD
The Spirit of Faith Award is given to one graduating yearbook staff member each year. This staff member is the person, who, through their career as a part of the Legend staff, most exemplified Faith's immortal words: "Be brilliant. Be fearless. Be kind." Brilliance in his or her academic endeavors. Fearless in yearbook and in student journalism. Kindness to classmates and faculty members. It is considered the highest honor any yearbook student can receive. Previous recipients of The Spirit of Faith Award are listed below.
2018 - Mollie Ping
2019 - Marguerite Peterseim
2020 - Millar Elferdink
2021 - Emma Lambert
2022 - Allie Frizzell
2023 - Eva Andrus
2019 - Marguerite Peterseim
2020 - Millar Elferdink
2021 - Emma Lambert
2022 - Allie Frizzell
2023 - Eva Andrus